Julia Kozak

Philippe, 2019

Philippe is an experimental documentary based on three generations of women that portray the reality of grief. With the 3 different generations, there is a transformation of emotions through the generations. This acknowledges the different feelings and emotions about loss and how it distinguishes us as human beings.

Q&A with Julia Kozak

Q.Could you tell us about any current projects that you are working on?

A. I am currently working on a short film as my thesis project. It is about Amelia, an eighteen year old girl who spends a weekend babysitting two boisterous young girls experiencing puberty and uncovering their first loves. This is a coming-of-age film to portray the reality of growing up as a young girl and bring light to how girls are constantly sexualized at an early age.

Q.Describe your project in its current state and what you’d like it’s final outcome to be.

A. We are right now in the post-production stage, mostly editing every week to make our film as strong as possible. Our only goal is to be proud of what we’ve been working on. We also launched our indiegogo campaign to help us finish our film and pay for all the expenses.

Q.How did you reach the conceptualization of your current project?

A. I have been working and thinking about this concept for a while. I started out writing notes in my phone/notebooks about the everyday conversations I would have with kids. I was always fascinated in seeing children grow up in front of me. I gathered all my life experiences and started writing the script for my film.

Q.Are there any artists that have inspired this work? If so, why?

A. I would say I get inspired by the people around me, situations I get into. Everything a person is exposed to like social media, the environment, will always be an inspiration in their art. An artist that will always inspire me is Andrea Arnold because I love how she has driven, intricate and real women in most of her films.

Q. Describe any challenges you have faced and any solutions that you have found to be helpful in the creative process.

A. Always work with people that you trust and be sure they will no matter what support your art.

Q.Have you had any success in getting your work out into the world? Do you have suggestions for other artists?

A. I think it’s hard to get started in the art world especially when you’re still in school and trying to expose your art to the public. Starting off, sharing your work with friends and family is always a good way to go.